The best beach camping near Manito

Beach camping around Manito means waking up to sand under your feet and a freshwater breeze on your face. With over 420 campsite options tailored to beach lovers, you’ll find everything from shaded tent spots to places right on the shore. The average price sits at $30 a night, and you won’t have to look hard to find options at that low end. Kickapoo Creek Getaway (8 reviews) is a local favorite—expect easy access to trails, clean toilets, and hot showers. Most sites allow campfires, so you can end your day swapping stories by the flames. Hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching are just out your tent flap. Don’t forget: pack out your trash and respect the dunes—these beaches are worth keeping wild.

Top-rated campgrounds near Manito

1. Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

81 sites · Banner, Illinois

You may catch some crappie, but your time at Spring Lake will be totally rad. Overlooked by a large sandstone bluff, Spring Lake is a long, narrow lake born from a meander of the Illinois River. It’s actually divided into two separate lakes, making it a fishing frenzy. The north has largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, muskie, channel catfish, sunfish, bullheads, and carp. The south has largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, northern pike, sunfish, and carp. Forgot your boat? Not to worry! Rentals are available near the south boat ramp. And if you’re yearning for the whole livin’ off the land experience, the park houses three campgrounds.

2. Anderson Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area

100 sites · Bath, Illinois

Bring your binoculars to Anderson Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area; this place is a birder’s paradise. Swell up with patriotic pride when you spot a bald eagle or two in the winter, and gawk at the huge number of white pelicans that gather here each spring as they head north during migration. If birding’s not your thing and you can’t tell a pelican from a bald eagle, then 1) you might need to get your eyes checked, and 2) no worries—there’s plenty else to do besides ogle at our feathery friends here.Take advantage of the park’s two public boat ramps and tour the lake via your vessel. Cast a line for crappie, bluegill, bass, and more (the fishing’s especially good in early spring). Hunting for deer, rabbit, quail, and duck are also popular pastimes. And if all else fails, simply take in the beauty of a sparkling lake surrounded by silver maple, cottonwood, and lovely willow trees. That’s what the “great outdoors” is all about!

3. Jubilee College State Park

107 sites · Brimfield, Illinois

It’s called Jubilee for a reason, people! You’re going to want to shout from the rooftop once you set your sights on the natural landscape and abundant wildlife. Whether you want to go hunting, hiking, fishing, or biking (we’re poets and we know it) Jubilee is the place to be. Bring your horse or bike to the trails for an added level of fun. Don’t just make this a spring/summer visit: swing by in the cooler months for a taste of snow activities! Jubilee sounds almost too good to be true.

Electrical hookup

4. Rock Island State Trail

1 site · Princeville, Illinois

Walk along an old railroad bed at this linear state park in north-central Illinois.

5. Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area

114 sites · Chandlerville, Illinois

One of the largest public access areas preserved by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

6. Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area

12 sites · Rome, Illinois

Spend the weekend surrounded by luscious flora and fauna at Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area along the eastside of the Illinois River. With 2,462 acres of water, you won’t be surprised to see waterfowl, beaver, muskrat, and mink as you tool around the waters. Fish for crappies and bullhead in the Upper Peoria and Goose Lakes, but keep an eye on the sky! A bald eagle or two have been known to grace visitors with their appearance! Spend all day or camp all weekend long. You can’t go wrong either way!

7. Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area

7 sites · Hopewell, Illinois

Three distinct areas of this park offer varied outdoor activities.

Beach camping around Manito means waking up to sand under your feet and a freshwater breeze on your face. With over 420 campsite options tailored to beach lovers, you’ll find everything from shaded tent spots to places right on the shore. The average price sits at $30 a night, and you won’t have to look hard to find options at that low end. Kickapoo Creek Getaway (8 reviews) is a local favorite—expect easy access to trails, clean toilets, and hot showers. Most sites allow campfires, so you can end your day swapping stories by the flames. Hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching are just out your tent flap. Don’t forget: pack out your trash and respect the dunes—these beaches are worth keeping wild.

Top-rated campgrounds near Manito

1. Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

81 sites · Banner, Illinois

You may catch some crappie, but your time at Spring Lake will be totally rad. Overlooked by a large sandstone bluff, Spring Lake is a long, narrow lake born from a meander of the Illinois River. It’s actually divided into two separate lakes, making it a fishing frenzy. The north has largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, muskie, channel catfish, sunfish, bullheads, and carp. The south has largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, northern pike, sunfish, and carp. Forgot your boat? Not to worry! Rentals are available near the south boat ramp. And if you’re yearning for the whole livin’ off the land experience, the park houses three campgrounds.

2. Anderson Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area

100 sites · Bath, Illinois

Bring your binoculars to Anderson Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area; this place is a birder’s paradise. Swell up with patriotic pride when you spot a bald eagle or two in the winter, and gawk at the huge number of white pelicans that gather here each spring as they head north during migration. If birding’s not your thing and you can’t tell a pelican from a bald eagle, then 1) you might need to get your eyes checked, and 2) no worries—there’s plenty else to do besides ogle at our feathery friends here.Take advantage of the park’s two public boat ramps and tour the lake via your vessel. Cast a line for crappie, bluegill, bass, and more (the fishing’s especially good in early spring). Hunting for deer, rabbit, quail, and duck are also popular pastimes. And if all else fails, simply take in the beauty of a sparkling lake surrounded by silver maple, cottonwood, and lovely willow trees. That’s what the “great outdoors” is all about!

3. Jubilee College State Park

107 sites · Brimfield, Illinois

It’s called Jubilee for a reason, people! You’re going to want to shout from the rooftop once you set your sights on the natural landscape and abundant wildlife. Whether you want to go hunting, hiking, fishing, or biking (we’re poets and we know it) Jubilee is the place to be. Bring your horse or bike to the trails for an added level of fun. Don’t just make this a spring/summer visit: swing by in the cooler months for a taste of snow activities! Jubilee sounds almost too good to be true.

Electrical hookup

4. Rock Island State Trail

1 site · Princeville, Illinois

Walk along an old railroad bed at this linear state park in north-central Illinois.

5. Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area

114 sites · Chandlerville, Illinois

One of the largest public access areas preserved by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

6. Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area

12 sites · Rome, Illinois

Spend the weekend surrounded by luscious flora and fauna at Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area along the eastside of the Illinois River. With 2,462 acres of water, you won’t be surprised to see waterfowl, beaver, muskrat, and mink as you tool around the waters. Fish for crappies and bullhead in the Upper Peoria and Goose Lakes, but keep an eye on the sky! A bald eagle or two have been known to grace visitors with their appearance! Spend all day or camp all weekend long. You can’t go wrong either way!

7. Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area

7 sites · Hopewell, Illinois

Three distinct areas of this park offer varied outdoor activities.

Public campgrounds near Manito

Oak Campground

Oak Campground

5.2mi from Manito · 11 sites · Tents, RVs · in Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Pine Campground

Pine Campground

5.2mi from Manito · 70 sites · Tents, RVs · in Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Anderson Lake Campground

Anderson Lake Campground

27mi from Manito · 100 sites · Tents, RVs · in Anderson Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area

Jubilee College Campground

Jubilee College Campground

28mi from Manito · 107 sites · Tents, RVs · in Jubilee College State Park

Rock Island Campground

Rock Island Campground

31mi from Manito · 1 site · in Rock Island State Trail

Prairie Lake Campground

Prairie Lake Campground

33mi from Manito · 76 sites · Tents, RVs · in Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area

Questing Hills Campground

Questing Hills Campground

33mi from Manito · 38 sites · in Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area

Woodford Campground

Woodford Campground

34mi from Manito · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area

Marshall Campground

Marshall Campground

45mi from Manito · 7 sites · in Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area

Nearby public parks

Browse national and state parks near Manito

Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Banner, Illinois

Anderson Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area

Anderson Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area

Jubilee College State Park

Jubilee College State Park

Brimfield, Illinois

Rock Island State Trail

Rock Island State Trail

Princeville, Illinois

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area

Chandlerville, Illinois

Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area

Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area

Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area

Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area

Hopewell, Illinois

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Value Prop

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Popular Manito trips

Camping with a private bathroom

Glamping with wifi provided

Dog-friendly RV parks

Top parks near Manito

Channahon State Park

Des Plaines State Fish & Wildlife Area

Eagle Creek State Recreation Area

Kickapoo State Recreation Area

Governor Dodge State Park

Hartman Creek State Park

Kettle Moraine State Forest (Northern Unit)

Mirror Lake State Park

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